It's time to vote, so get your voting papers out of the envelope and start choosing! If you don't know who to vote for then read on for information which may be of help. However, I must add that there has been a very poor response to questions sent to candidates. We are finding the best way to find out where they stand on issues is to approach them personally.
Thank you to all who made submissions on the review of the Plant Variety Rights Act. This month we are urging you to make a submission on the Ministry of the Environment’s recently released discussion document on water. These are due by the end of October. Please see the newsletter for more information.
The claims made under the Marine and Coastal Area Act are very slowly making their way through the High Court process. There is a very important hearing coming up in the High Court in Wellington on the 7th and 8th of October. The Court will hear arguments from applicants challenging the role of the Attorney General in the claims process. If you or anyone you know will be in Wellington on these dates, please consider attending and reporting back. We are very keen to hear a first-hand account of the proceedings.
Have you heard the recent podcast in which Leighton Smith interviews Casey Costello, spokesperson for Hobson’s Pledge, about transparency and accountability in local government, and the campaign underway to undermine the political system which most voters are unaware of? If not, it is available HERE. It is well worth a listen. (The interview begins at 14.28 minutes into the podcast).
You are welcome to share the information in this newsletter with your friends, family and other contacts. Also, please direct to our website anyone who may be interested in the issues we cover and would like to be added to our mailing list. See: https://www.democracyaction.org.nz/about
The next Democracy Action working group meeting is to be held on Monday 14th October, beginning at 7pm. All welcome. Please email for details: [email protected]
Thank you for your continued interest and support. If you have any suggestions you would like to offer, or if you need further information or help, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
And please help spread the message by sharing our newsletters with anyone who may be interested. You can receive further updates by registering or joining us.
Kind regards,
Susan Short